Grizzlies try to set new franchise mark

Miami, FL (Sports Network) – The Memphis Grizzlies try to set a franchise-
record for consecutive wins tonight when they face the Miami Heat at
AmericanAirlines Arena.

Memphis’ latest victory came on Wednesday, as Mike Miller tied a season-high
with 22 points and dished out five assists to lead the Grizzlies to their
sixth straight win, 103-90, over the Atlanta Hawks.

Earl Watson, filling in again for the injured Jason Williams, scored a season-
high 20 points to go along with nine assists and six rebounds. He has 23
assists over the past two games.

Pau Gasol collected 17 points and 10 rebounds in the win, as the Grizz moved
four games above .500 for the first time in franchise history. The team also
matched their franchise-best winning streak, which was set last season.

Williams has missed five straight games with a strained back muscle and is
doubtful for tonight’s affair. .

Memphis, which is 8-0 mark when it leads after three quarters, has won five of
its last seven road games and is 6-5 away from home this season.

Miami, meanwhile, also enters tonight’s tilt on a high note after Brian Grant
scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Heat to a
92-72 win over Phoenix on Tuesday.

Dwyane Wade also tallied 18 points for the Heat, who snapped a three-game
losing streak. Lamar Odom posted 16 points and a career-high 17 boards while
Eddie Jones contributed 15 points for Miami, which held a commanding 51-30
edge on the backboards.

The Heat, who won for just the third time in their last 10 games, posted their
largest margin of victory this season and in the process held the Suns to a
season-low point total

Miami forward Caron Butler was back in the lineup and scored seven points. He
had undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left knee October 4 and returned to
the team on November 8, but then re-injured the knee in a November 21 game
against Golden State and had not played since.

The Heat, who improved to just 2-9 against Western Conference teams this
season, are 5-4 at home this season and will close a four-game homestand
tonight.

Memphis won both matchups with the Heat last season and could have the upper
hand tonight, as the road team in this series has won six of the last eight
meetings. The Grizzlies, though, have won two straight and three of their last
four in South Florida.